Daschle Withdraws
EmailStatement from President Obama:
"This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. I accept his decision with sadness and regret.
"Tom Daschle has devoted his life to public service and health care reform, so that every American has access to health care they can afford. I had hoped that he could bring this passion and expertise to bear to finally achieve that goal, which is so essential to the progress of our economy and the well-being of businesses and families across our nation.
"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I.
"But that mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country, from his years in the military to his decades of public service.
"Now we must move forward, with our plan to lift this economy and put people back to work."
Statement from former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-SD:
"I have just informed the President that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
"To be chosen by President Obama to run the Department of Health and Human Services and to lead the reform of America’s health care system is one of the signal honors of an improbable career.
"But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction.
"Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction. The focus of Congress should be on the urgent business of moving the President’s economic agenda forward, including affordable health care for every American.
"We need the best care in America to be available to all Americans. We need this effort to succeed. Lives and livelihoods are at stake.
"I will not be the architect of America’s health system reform, but I remain one of its most fervent supporters. Thank you."
– jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Hilarious.
The hypocrisy of it all…..
Posted by: G-funkadelic | February 3, 2009, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
Maybe Obama can tap Blago for the job.I hear he is looking for work.
Posted by: ronaldus | February 3, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
jpt quotes The Puppet:
“Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I.”
Ah, but they both DID excuse it — calling it a “mistake” excuses it. And of course excusing the lobbying. And never even MENTIONING (as Tapper did) the EduCap connection, of which the public should learn much MORE. How does it happen that Daschle was involved with a crooked nonprofit scamming un-rich kids into debt? (And why did the “Obama” organization WANT him, knowing that, to “reform” ANYthing? It doesn’t make a lick of sense.)
Obama and the Republicrats MIGHT get their juice back by bringing in Dr. Dean and rolling out National Health for the PEOPLE, along with a few trillion (along with MOST of the residential real estate!) for the uber-WASPS and financial corporations.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
I bet Daschle wishes he hadn’t paid the tax money now.
Obama is a jinx.
BO outs all of his shady friends then he comes out smelling like a rose?
Not this time BO–you are starting to smell real bad.
Posted by: sammy | February 3, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
Give him some credit for doing the right thing, even if it was only after a series of controversies. I’m no Daschle fan, nor Obama fan, but at least he didn’t try to keep the weasel train going.
It is a bit concerning though that Obama’s tone is that he would have taken him regardless, almost like he was caught off guard.
Posted by: KR | February 3, 2009, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
What a dumb reason to exclude the most qualified person for the job. He paid the taxes back–with penalties and interest–which is what’s required. The reason he couldn’t be confirmed was pure politics–score one for the Republicans.
Posted by: dakota65 | February 3, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
I suppose the last straw was when the NYT started to turn on BO.
If BO loses the MSM he is in huge trouble.
Posted by: bailey | February 3, 2009, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
“The reason he couldn’t be confirmed was pure politics–score one for the Republicans.”
You can’t possibly put this blame on Republicans can you? Do you blame them when it rains or you stub your toe too?
Silly.
Posted by: KR | February 3, 2009, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
In our boxes, it’s called too little, too late, especially when there weren’t enough sands.
It stinks.
Posted by: two cats | February 3, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Too bad Obama didn’t have enough integrity to ask Daschle to step down.
He probably would have been confirmed if Killefer’s story had not come out.
Posted by: harry | February 3, 2009, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
Oh dear, and Annie L had him in the Vanity Fair picture too. I knew that was going to become a collector’s item.
Blago’s wife is interested in a job making about $150K so this may be a perfect opening. Shame about the hours though.
Posted by: BertieW | February 3, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Too bad.I was really starting to like those red Harry Potter glasses.
Posted by: Ronaldus | February 3, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
We are at a crossroads in America. This is a time when ethics should drive all people in leadership positions. Missouri State Senate President Pro Tem Charles Shields is imminently qualified and has sterling ethical values. President Obama should reach out across this great country for the best person for Health and Human Services. …………..
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | February 3, 2009, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
Killefer made a “mistake” on taxes.
Daschle’s shenanigans were different -
the size of his oversight of in-kind income was astounding (50k + a year in car and chauffeur), furthermore the source was from political connections and the whole thing laid bare that Daschle was a non-lobbyist lobbyist in the health field with a big conflict in interest to be heading HHS especially in an admin that wants universal health care.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
“The reason he couldn’t be confirmed was pure politics–score one for the Republicans.”
psst: Daschle IS a “Republican”. And so’s The Puppet. They’re the cool corporate Republicans, and John Kerry — who first merchandised mob-friendly “Obama” as a national brand — is their secret weapon and ringer.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
So what will Daschle’s fines and penalties be for cheating on his taxes?
If you or I did what he did, we would be in big trouble.
Posted by: sam | February 3, 2009, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
One tax cheat down, more to go.
Now Mr Geithner please show some
class and resign your new post!
Considering the shape of our economy
tax cheats should not be appointed
or accept high government positions!
I still find it hard to believe that
President Obama can find only
tax cheats to serve our government!
Maybe he should stop listening to
Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and vett
his nominee’s properly!
To coin your campaign slogan
Mr President, “Yes You Can” find a
nominee who has paid his or her taxes
in a timely manner!
Posted by: reaganfan | February 3, 2009, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
I just can’t believe how many politicans don’t pay they taxes! They are all lawyers so they know the laws..they make a hell of a lot more money than me…but, oh I made a mistake…oh that’s okay..take the job it’s okay….but, in my world if it took that long, and that much my butt be in jail so fast my head would still be spinning….as always there are two sets of laws!
Posted by: Just another Cow in the Herd | February 3, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
another un american tax cheating democrat bites the dust… don’t call Obama Mr. President..call him inmate 11062007
OBAMA = poor judgement, totally unprepared, 1st disaster in south a sham..people still dying..anyone saying Hillary 2012
Posted by: Obama Cabinet of Corruption | February 3, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
Well, we had the Geithner defense and now the Daschle defense. All Americans, we no longer need to pay taxes!
So when will BO come clean and step down as he is creating a Constitutional crisis in that he is not eligible to hold Pres office. He is not a natural born citizen. Maybe Bill Clinton was right, BO is just another Chicago Thug. As in criminal, as in piece of…
Thanks dems, our country is now vulnerable to collapse.
Posted by: samesame | February 3, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
“I bet Daschle wishes he hadn’t paid the tax money now.”
Ha!
Posted by: SameOld | February 3, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
“an admin that wants universal health care.”
Hahaha: they DON’T want it.
But they’d darn well better DO it.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
I just read a Universal Health Care article arguing for it. And on the subject of Doctors leaving to go to other countries to make more money, here is their logic…
“Think about it; where will they go to make more money, if all the other wealthy countries use a similar system; If we keep all the practitioners here because they have no place else to go, then we can maintain the same levels of service.”
All Obama has to do is hire this guy for the Health and Human Services spot. That’s logic, and change we can believe in.
Posted by: KR | February 3, 2009, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
“I bet Daschle wishes he hadn’t paid the tax money now.”
Who’s gonna see to it that Daschle, Geithner, and what’s-her-name pay the same PENALTIES as ordinary mortals?
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
How out of touch do you have to be to believe it’s not important if you pay your taxes, but every one else should. Does Obama think some people are excempt. Would have Daschle or Geithner ever payed their taxes if they had not been nominated? I bet not. Obama should have yanked both Geithner, and Daschle’s names from nomination when he found out they didn’t pay their taxes. Who the hell does he think he is. Geithner and Daschle are more insult than I care to swallow.
Posted by: Philip V. | February 3, 2009, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
Next in line Geithner and Rangel.
Posted by: sammy | February 3, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
The incompetence and corruption of this administration is unprecedented and inexcusable.
Posted by: Larry in Chicago | February 3, 2009, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm
Who’s next??? Geithner?
Posted by: anonymous | February 3, 2009, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
“Who the hell does he think he is.”
He thinks He’s the Revlon Girl for the corporate Republicans hiding behind the Kerry wing of the hijacked Democrats … as indeed He is.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
“Thanks dems, our country is now vulnerable to collapse.”
psst: it’s not the “dems”, but closet Republicans — the corporate wing, not the “base” or the supposedly-”post-partisan” McCain — who hijacked the formerly “Democratic” party, their own being temporarily unusable.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Hey Barack, Bernie Madoff is available!
Posted by: drjohn | February 3, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
If you liked what Democrats did for universal housing, you’ll really love universal health care.
Posted by: drjohn | February 3, 2009, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
Im glad that Mr Daschale did the right thing by stepping aside.He knew that th-ose taxes had to be paid,and if not why.he had been the chairman for the tax commeetie and they put in what,who,how,andwhyfors,so that isnt am excuse that flyswhen your the top dog,and say that theIRS should krack down on the cheaters an
liers.Now he know that those word hurt
uhh!He should be treated just like any
one that isnt in the government.he shou-
ld be hounded and all the other unpleas-
entness that the IRS does to both good
people and bad.They mess up and let him
get off litely.He should have been run
threw the ringer just like the average
joe would have been.BUT I’M GLAD THAT HE
DID DO THE RIGHT THING BY DROPPING OUT.
That did take a good man to do.Not like
the others that should have did what Mr
Daschle did,step out,They arent fit to
hold the office that they are in.They
are tainted and there office is also.
These people all have been in that area
too long thay feel it is owed to them.
and it isnt,they owe ue the tax payer
the best,and we arent getting it.Its
time to get rid of anyone that has been
there longer than 2Terms.OUT!!!!!
Posted by: William Traywick Jr | February 3, 2009, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
“If you liked what Democrats did for universal housing, you’ll really love universal health care.”
Note that in His Inaugural flim-flam, The Puppet mentioned “public health that works for all”, after NEVER having mentioned “public health”.
Most likely the “Obama” organization — all of them covered by public-paid PRIVATE medical care — were aiming at California-style “public” health, administered by impenetrable “non-profits” (like the one at U/C that was paying MRS. Obama nearly half a million a year) whose policies insure that the poor die young, after consuming a lot of unproven (and expensive) pharmaceuticals.
We want Dr. Dean.
Posted by: Blue Fairy | February 3, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
“Palin ’12, PUMA!”
Guess her tax problems don;t bother you?
“Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin didn’t report thousands of dollars in state travel reimbursements that she collected while living at home last year, according to her tax return for 2007.”
Posted by: Ryan C | February 3, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Mr Obama;If you need someone that has noties to either side and dosent care abo-ut whos feeling get hurt,and will tell
you the truth and the people nothing but
the truth i’m you man and I’m Available
and Ill work for the people of this country for 45,000.00 a yesr.and I’ll
give you and the people the best by not
haveing my taxes not payed,and the right
amount paid.overage,That way I get a re-
fund.
Posted by: William Traywick Jr | February 3, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Wow. He stepped away. I’m stunned, seriously.
Maybe there’s “hope” yet…
Nah, the next one will probably be worse.
Posted by: LaughingCynic | February 3, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Why is it when someone in Congress gets caught it’s a “mistake” – if it’s one of us it’s cheating?
May Your Glass Always Be Half Full
Posted by: Maxi Malone | February 4, 2009, 10:26 am 10:26 am